NEWS RELEASE
SOUTH SIMCOE POLICE SERVICE
***********************
On Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019 and Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, South Simcoe Police Service officers issued a total of three, three-day licence suspensions during Festive RIDE Programs.
In each case, police detected an odour of cannabis and roadside drug screening device tests resulted in positive readings for THC. All three drivers were charged with novice driver - presence of a drug. There is zero tolerance for young, novice and commercial drivers.
Just like alcohol, you are not allowed to have any cannabis in your system if you are driving and you: are 21 or under have a G1, G2, M1 or M2 licence, are driving a vehicle that requires an A-F driver's licence or commercial vehicle operator's registration are driving a road-building machine.
Since May 2019, South Simcoe Police Service has been using The Drager DrugTest 5000. This mobile drug screening system uses oral fluid that currently tests for THC and cocaine. It was the first drug detection device approved for police use in Canada. SSPS currently has five of the devices primarily deployed for use in the Traffic Unit.
Our Festive RIDE Program wraps up tonight but as you know, our RIDE spot checks are year round and happen anywhere and any time.
Thank you to all of the citizens who made the right choice this holiday season to drive sober. Let's continue to work together in 2020 to keep our roads safe.
*************************
